UK & Irish Championships 2007
Contents
Wales contributed a small but
effective group of archers for this year’s UK and Irish Field Archery
Championships which were held at Loughcrew, Ireland on the 25th
and 26th of August. It was the first time that the IFAF have
hosted the tournament and the level of organisation was superb. The IFAF
laid two brand
new courses for the event and achieved a good level of buy-in from their
members both in terms of participation and support through course layers,
marshals and catering. The IFAF has traditionally focussed on bowhunter
activities so the field archery experience was new to the majority of
participants from the Emerald Isle. In addition to the tournament itself,
the IFAF laid on a barbeque both days and a live singer on Saturday
evening to create an event more reminiscent of an EFAC than the tournament
we have traditionally seen.
The big news in the Welsh camp was
Andrew Lloyd who shot two superb
rounds in the AMBU group to take third position. Andrew changed to this
style from recurve freestyle just over a month ago and still managed to
compete
with the seasoned Bowhunter Unlimited archers of England and Scotland.
Susan Davies
Langdon Davies
Bob Lloyd
Mathew Symmonds
Richard Doore
Nick Dampier
Steve Lloyd
Andrew Lloyd
Champion (AFFU)
Champion (VMFU)
2nd place (VMFU)
Champion (AMFSR)
Retired after Day 1
3rd place (AMFU)
5th place (AMFU)
3rd place (AMBU)
Left: The Welsh team and their families Right: a bunny shot
on the course
Another positive development came in the shape of Nick Dampier, from Margam Archers. Nick has been shooting less than a year but has already broken the 500 points barrier in the Gents Unlimited division. This being Nick’s first major tournament, he conducted himself well, scoring on par both days to take a well earned bronze medal. Another recent convert to Unlimited, Steve Lloyd also performed well, setting person best scores in his new style. Despite a close match, Steve was not able to catch Aiden Wrenne of Ireland who edged him out of fourth position. Susan Davies, of Zenith and Pentref Bowmen, performed well once again in the Ladies Unlimited group to take the gold with two solid scores.
The Gents Freestyle Recurve group was no less interesting and Mathew Symmonds continued recent good form to take an early lead. Daniel Rae, of England challenged throughout but was eventually thwarted by bow failure which allowed Symmonds to canter to the finish for the gold medal. Richard Doore was forced to retire after day one for personal reasons and this, together with the retirement of England’s Paul Kelly, enabled Eric Rowbotham of Scotland to take the silver medal for his best finish to date.
The Veterans Unlimited group was an all Wales affair with Langdon Davies of Zenith Archers/Pentref Bowmen and Bob Lloyd of Llantwit Major Archers fighting it out for the gold. After round one, it was all square between them, but experience told on the Sunday when Davies drew ahead to take the title.
The WFAA would like to thank the IFAF for putting on a superb tournament and for providing a good deal of Irish crack! We can speak for the Welsh contingent in saying that a good time was had by all from Wales!
Some of the Welsh Medalists
Left: Veteran Unlimited Champion Langdon Davies, Centre:
Stan Wilding of England, Right: Mathew Symmonds and IFAF President Jim
Boyle
For a full results list, click here